[Photo: Dr. Hudson Kibuuka, courtesy of Helderburg College]

Helderberg College, a Seventh-day Adventist tertiary
school located near Cape Town, South Africa, celebrated its 120-year milestone
on December 5, 2013. Attending dignitaries included Hudson Kibuuka, associate
director of Education for the General Conference; Tankiso Letseli, president of
the Southern Africa Union Conference (SAU); Gerald T. Du Preez, SAU Education director; and Kenny K. Kapinga,
high commissioner of the Botswana High Commission.

The event focused on the hard work and
sacrifice of those who originally established the institution, as well as the
need for current administrators, staff, students, and others involved with
Helderberg College to recommit themselves to the mission of the school. That
mission, school officials say, entails training young adults to competently
serve in various careers in society as well as preparing them to live with
Jesus throughout eternity.

Just as Noah preached for 120 years, so
has Helderberg College been preparing ministers and youth to proclaim the love
of God for humanity, said college president Vincent R. Injety as he welcomed attendees
to the event. He added that Christian education should help to positively change
and develop Adventist churches and the environment, as well as prepare youth
for whatever life challenges they may encounter.

“An organization, church, or
society should not suffer nor lack development as a result of the high
quality education offered by an institution such as Helderberg
College for more than a century,” Injety said.

In a congratulatory message to the
council, staff, and students, General Conference president Ted N. C. Wilson
said of the college, “A major objective was to make religion a
personal experience in the life of each student—a practical religion
which finds expression in the standards of conduct, attitudes, and
ideals and in the development of individual responsibility for
the betterment of mankind.”

The event included a video presentation
depicting the history of the college, a musical program, and a short play highlighting
the college’s accomplishments despite the social, political, and economic
challenges it has faced in the region.

The 120-year celebration was followed by
an Alumni and Friends of Helderberg fund-raising dinner.

To
learn more about Helderberg College, go to www.hbc.ac.za.—Information
provided by Pumelele Nzeuza, Development and Fundraising, Helderberg College.